‘Vanderpump Rules’: Tom Schwartz and Cast ‘Blindsided’ by Jax Taylor Exit, Source Says
Changes are happening on Vanderpump Rules after the summer of firings. The Bravo show is going through a major retooling after Stassi Schroder and Kristen Doute were axed for racist actions. Jax Taylor had seemingly been safe despite perpetuating the same rumor that landed Schroder and Doute on the chopping block. However, Taylor and his wife Brittany Cartwright have now announced they will not be appearing on the show’s next season.
After Schroeder and Doute were fired from the reality series, fans also campaigned against Taylor. Old tweets from the reality TV personality resurfaced which also showed that he believed what his co-stars said about Faith Stowers. The latter was accused of being a criminal and police were allegedly called to investigate her. With the Black Lives Matter movement raising awareness about social injustice, the show faced major backlash.
Why is Jax Taylor leaving ‘Vanderpump Rules?’
As recently as October of this year, Taylor was talking about returning to film the new season of Vanderpump Rules.
“We’re supposed to go back to filming. Vanderpump Rules is supposed to go back to filming,” Taylor said during a Periscope broadcast. “In fact, we were supposed to go back this month, in fact, I think. We’re supposed to. That’s the last I heard. We were supposed to. But it’s just a matter of when they’re gonna allow us.”
Flash forward to December, Taylor has now confirmed he won’t be back for another season of the hit Bravo show.
“The last 8 years on Vanderpump Rules have been some of the most challenging, rewarding, and fulfilling years of my life,” Taylor posted on Instagram announcing his exit. “Although this is difficult to share, Brittany and I will not be returning for another season of Vanderpump Rules. We are excited to take this time to focus on our growing family and share with you our new endeavors.”
‘Vanderpump Rules’ cast was blindsided
After Taylor confirmed he and his wife would not be returning for Vanderpump Rules Season 9, fans were curious to get reactions from the remaining cast. A new report suggests that Taylor’s former co-stars were kept in the dark about his exit and were in turn “blindsided” by the announcement. It was particularly hard on Tom Schwartz, according to a close source.
“Schwartz especially was really upset that he wasn’t told ahead of time,” an insider told Hollywood Life. “He felt like Jax is more than just a cast member to him and was really upset that he didn’t call or text him. Several cast members felt it was calculated and wanted the courtesy to be prepared. They really had no idea it was happening and wanted a heads up. They all felt so blindsided.”
Andy Cohen is the face of Bravo and, although he’s not involved in casting decisions for Vanderpump Rules, he is always asked about shows on the network. The Watch What Happens Live host said back in November that the cast shakeup was something good for the series.
“I actually think in an odd way that’s going to create a lot of story that is absolutely real, and they’ll be able to lean into it,” Cohen said on Everything Iconic podcast. “And frankly, Stassi and Kristen didn’t work there anymore. They’re both brilliant characters on television. I think it will be interesting to see whose there and who’s not and what’s really happening. I think they’ll have a better time doing that and they’ll be a lot of built stuff that’s actually happening.”
Vanderpump Rules doesn’t have a return date to Bravo as of yet.
